Combination discharge valve and switch assembly



Dec. 22, 1964 A. MANSELL 3,162,734

COMBINATION DISCHARGE VALVE AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 50, 1961INVENTOR Geoffrey A. Mansell BY VAMMJWQPM ATTORNEY v United StatesPatent 3,162,734 COMBINATION DISCHARGE "ALVE AND SWITCH ASSEMBLYGeofirey A. Mansell, San Juan Capistrano, Caiifi, as-

signor to Rohertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Oct. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,667 11 Claims. (Cl.ZOO-61.86)

The present invention relates to automatic washing machines utilizingpneumatic control systems and more particularly to control means forsuch pneumatic systems operatively associated with a washing machine tubaccess cover or lid.

Heretofore safety controls operated by the washing machine tub accesscover or lid have been provided for on and off control of automaticwashing machines, but these safety controls have usually been solelyelectrical and do not involve the problems attendant a pneumatic washingmachine control system. For example, in automatic washing machinesutilizing the the pneumatic control system, it is desirable when thewashing machine cover or lid is raised to shut down the main motor ofthe system, which is electrical and dump the vacuum from the controlsystem to release all the pneumatic controls of the system..

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a novel combineddischarge valve and switch assembly adapted to be simultaneouslyactuated by the access door or lid of an automatic electro-pneumaticwashing machine, when the door is opened to de-energize or shut down themain motor and to dump the vacuum from the control system by permittingair at atmospheric pressure to enter the system, to thereby release thepneumatic controls of the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel unitary devicecomprising a valve and switch assembly operable simultaneously, tothereby eliminate the necessity of synchronizing a separate valve andswitch, as in the prior art.

A further object is to provide a valve structure as the push buttonactuator of a switch.

Still another object is to provide in combination with the valve portionof said unit, an air filter means, whereby all air entering thepneumatic system when the washing machine cover is opened is filtered.

With the above and other more specific objects in view which will becomeapparent as the invention is fully understood, the same resides in thenovelty of construction, combination and arrangement of elementshereinafter described in detail and distinctly claimed in the appendedclaims. A

The description is intended to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to likeparts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a side cross section view of the present novel combinationdischarge valve and switch assembly as it appears in the closed positionof the washing machine cover with the valve and switch both in closedposition;

FIGURE 2 is a side cross section view similar to FIG- URE 1, but withthe valve and switch in their respective open positions, as occurs whenthe washing machine cover is in open position;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross section view of a portion of the mountingframe and a washing machine tub access cover, illustrating the mountingof the novel discharge valve and switch assembly on the washing machinecover frame, and also showing the valve and switch actuator engaged by alever extending from operative connection with the washing machinecover;

FIGURE 4 is a cross section view of the present invention novel valveand switch actuator means and the associated connecting nipple forconnection to a pneumatic conduit of the pneumatic system of themachine, as it appears apart from the assembled unit, and

FIGURE 5 is a section view of the valve disk, as it appears removed fromthe assembly.

Referring in detail to the drawing and first with particular referenceto FIGURE 1, there is shown a switch housing 10 formed of twohalf-sections of suitable insulating material having end walls 11 and12, side walls 13 and 14, a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 16,respectively, so as to serve as a support housing for an electric switchS.

Preferably the housing 10 is made in two upper and lower sections A andB secured together by suitable adhesive, as well-known. The top wall 15is preferably closed and each of the end walls 11 and 12 are aperturcdto provide for circuit connecting leads 17 and 18 from the main motor,not shown. These leads are of fiat conducting semi-rigid spring materialto form the support means for the snap acting members of the switch S,hereinafter described in detail. The end wall 12, also, is formed with alower aperture to mount the yieldable spring arm 19 to support a stopmeans 20 positioned adjacent the inner surface of the top wall 15, whichmeans 20 is spaced in superimposed vertical alignment above the hot orlive line contact 21 connected to the lead 18. Secured by suitablemeans, such as rivet 22, to the flat semi-rigid spring metal lead 17 atthe end 11 inside the housing 10 is the switch lever arm 23 of switch S.

The flat metal lever arm 23 of the switch at its outer extremity carriesan electric contact 24 for cooperating with the fixed live contact 21mounted on the said lead 18. Adjacent the outer extremity of the flatswitch arm 23, there is provided an inverted C-shaped spring 25, whichengages the snap plate or tongue 27 to provide for over center snapaction thereof. This snap plate or tongue is formed from the flat metallever arm 23 and exends from the hinged or rivet end of the lever arm 23short of the movable contact end, to thereby leave an open slot topermit the inverted free ends of the spring 25 to engage the terminalend of the snap plate or tongue 27 and the oppositely facing end wallwhich defines the end of the slot of the lever arm 23, respectively.

The bottom wall 16 of the switch housing 10 is bored through to providea cylindrical bore 29. The bore 29 is counterbored slightly to form anannular land 30, see FIGURE 1, which land surface serves as a stop meansin cooperation with the slightly smaller annular flange 32 formed on anelongated combined valve and switch actuator means 31, see FIGURES 1, 2and 4. This actuator means is formed on one end with a thrust button 33,which extends into the housing 10 into constant engagement with the snapplate or tongue 27 adjacent the connection of the same with the snapspring 25 of the switch S.

The combined valve and switch actuator 31 has its opposite end extendingfrom the bore 29 in the bottom wall 16 of the housing 10 and terminatesinto an outer bevelled rim to form a valve seat 34. Also, the actuator31 is formed with a bored socket 35 having an enlarged portion 36 and arelatively smaller portion 37 in which is mounted a coiled spring 38.One end of the spring 38 seats snugly in the relatively smaller portion37 of the bore 35, see FIGURE 4, while the other end of the springsnugly embraces the valve stud 40 of a disk valve 39, see FIGURES l, 2and 5, formed with a complementary annular bevelled valve surface 42adapted to seat over the bevelled end or seat 34 of the actuator 31.

The disk valve head is formed with a rounded thrust button 43. Thisthrust button is biased into a constant engagement with a lever 45 bythe spring 38. The lever 45 is operatively controlled by the washingmachine tub access door 44. Thus the washing machine cover lever 45 whenthe tub access door is closed is moved into a position, to thereby holdthe disk valve 39 closed or seated over the end of the seat 34 of theactuator 31, see FIG- URE 1.

The actuator 31 through a side wall thereof is formed with a threadedaperture in which is threadedly mounted a hollow nipple 47. The nipple47 connects by tubing to the pneumatic control mechanisms, not shown, ofthe washing machine. Also, the nipple 47 extends through a lateralopening in the side wall of a compressible porous filter ring or sleeve48 encircling snugly around the outer diameter of the elongated actuator31. The filter ring rim at one end is engaged against the surface of thebottom wall 16 and at the opposite end the peripheral rim of the filterring or sleeve 48 is seated on an annular land 50, see FIGURE 5, formedaround the outer edge surface of the disk valve 3% adjacent the valveseating portion of the same. The filter ring or sleeve 48 isof'expansible and compressible porous material, such as an open celledflexible foamed plastic to provide constant air filter means. Forexample, when the valve 39 is moved from its open position of FIGURE 2to its closed position of FIGURE 1 by the tub cover or access door lever45, the filter ring 48 is compressed between the annular land 50 and theunder surface of the bottom wall 16, and when the tub cover or accessdoor lever 45 is lowered to the open valve position of FIGURE 2, thefilter ring expands to admit atmospheric air, whereby all air enteringthe system when the disk valve 39 is unseated to open position byraising the tub cover is filtered.

FIGURE 3 shows an end View of the novel combination discharge valve andswitch assembly mounted on a portion of a washing machine frame 52 bymeans of a bracket 53, a spacer means 54 and securing bolts 55. Thethrust button 43 of the valve disk 39 is also shown in engagement withthe washing machine cover or access door lever 45.

Operalion It is believed the operation of the present novel combinationdischarge valve and switch assembly is clear from the foregoingdescription, however, briefly summarizing, the usual conventionalwashing machine construction generally includes the lever 45, seeFIGURES 1 and 2, which is movable between the two closed and openpositions illustrated when moved by the opening or closing of thewashing machine tub cover or access door 44. Thus, closing or opening ofthe cover moves the lever 45 upward to seat the valve disk 39, compressthe valve spring 38 and compress porous filter sleeve 48. Such upwardmovement of the access door actuated lever 45 causes the disk valve 39to seat on the valve seat 34 on the end of the push button actuator 31,thereby moving the actuator upward from the land 30 in the switchhousing to effect the circuit closing of the snap switch S. Conversely,opening or closing of the wash access door 44 lowers the lever 45,relieves the bias of the valve spring 38 and the compressed state of thefilter sleeve 48, and permits the valve disk 39 to move away from theseat 34 of the actuator 31, thereby permitting the actuator to moveoutward from the housing 10 to cause return snap action of the snapswitch S to open circuit position. Also, movement of the valve disk 39away from the valve seat 34 expands the filter sleeve 48 and permitsatmospheric air to enter the system through the filter wall into thehollow nipple 47 and release all the pneumatic actuators of the systemwhile the tub access door is raised or opened.

Thus there is provided a simple and economical unitary article ofmanufacture for safety control of automatic washing machines of thepneumatic control type, whereby the opening and closing of the wash tubaccess door serves to stop and start the machine, such two operationsbeing effected simultaneously by one unitary valve and switchcombination without the need of the more compleX synchronizing of aseparate valve and a separate switch for the same purpose.

Without further description it is believed that the advantages of thepresent invention over the prior art is apparent and while only oneembodiment of the same is illustrated, it is to be expressly understoodthat the same is not limited thereto as various changes may be made inthe combination and arrangement of the parts illustrated, as will likelyappear to others and those skilled in the art. For a definition of thescope or limits of the invention, reference should be had to theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine comprising a housing,a snap action electric switch in said housing, said housing having aswitch actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator being formed with abore portion opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening fromthe bore portion, a valve seat defining the open bore end of saidactuator, a valve for engagement with said seat, and movable valveactuator means engaged with said valve.

2. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine comprising a housing,a snap action electric switch in said housing, said housing having aswitch actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator being formed with abore portion opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening fromthe bore portion, a valve seat defining the open bore end of saidactuator, a valve for engagement with said seat, said bore portionhaving a reduced counterbore portion, a coil spring having an end snuglyfitted in said reduced counterbore portion and the opposite endconcentrically positioned in compressed engagement with said valve, andvalve actuator means in engagement with said valve against the biasingaction of said spring.

3. The control means as described in claim 2, wherein the said valve isa disk valve.

4. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine comprising a housing,a snap action electric switch in said housing, said housing having aswitch actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator being formed with abore portion opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening fromthe bore portion, a valve seat defining the open bore end of saidactuator, a valve for engagement with said seat, movable valve actuatormeans engaged with the opposite side of said valve from said seatengagingside of the valve, and a porous air filter mounted around saidswitch actuator contractible and expansible between a wall of saidhousing and the valve seat side of said valve upon the seating andunseating of said valve.

5. A valve and switch assembly comprising a housing enclosing andsupporting an electric switch, an actuator for said switch extendingfrom said housing, said actuator having a switch actuating thrust buttonon one end and having a cylindrical bore defined by a valve seat on theopposite end, valve means engageable with said seat, and movable meansfor simultaneously controlling the seating and unseating of said valveand the closing and opening of said switch.

6. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine comprising a housing,a snap action electric switch in said housing, said housing having aswitch actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator being formed with abore portion opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening fromthe bore portion, a valve seat defining the open bore end ofsaidactuator, a valve for engagement with said seat, spring means insaid bore compressed in said bore between said valve means and saidactuator, said valve having a head with a thrust button, said springserving to bias said valve toward open position, and movable means inconstant engagement with said valve thrust button resisting the biasingaction of said spring, said movable means being movable upon raising orlowering the tub cover of a washing machine, to thereby displace saidactuator and said valve to simultaneously operate said switch and saidvalve.

7. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine comprising a housing,a snap action electric switch in said housing, said housing having areciprocatable switch actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator beingformed with a bore portion opening at one end thereof and a side outletopening from the bore portion, a valve seat defining the open bore endof said actuator, a valve for engagement with said seat, spring means insaid bore compressed in said bore between said valve means and saidactuator, said valve having a head with a thrust button, said springserving to bias said valve toward open position, movable means inconstant engagement with said valve thrust button resisting the biasingaction of said spring, said movable means being movable upon opening orclos ing the tub cover of a washing machine, to thereby displace saidactuator and said valve to simultaneously operate said switch and saidvalve, and a sleeve of porous plastic mounted around said actuatorcontractible and expansible between said housing and said valve upon theseating or unseating of said valve and the closing or opening of saidswitch by movement of said movable valve controlling means. I

8. Control means for automatic washing machines including a movable washtub cover, said cover being provided with a lever in operativeengagement, with said control means, said control means comprising adisk valve having a thrust button in contact with said lever, anelectric snap switch in circuit with said motor, a switch actuatorpositioned intermediate the said valve and the said switch, saidactuator containing a bore defined by a valve seat at one end and havinga switch operating thrust member at the opposite end thereof, a valvespring in said bore normally biasing said valve thrust button towardopen position and in contact with said lever, and a hollow nippleextending laterally from said actuator bore for suitable connection tothe control means of the washing machine.

9. A combined control device for an electro-pneumatic Washing machinecomprising a housing with a cylindrical bottom opening, an electric snapacting switch in the housing above said bottom opening and a disk valveassembly reciprocatable in said bottom opening comprising an elongatedswitch thrust means, said means being formed in one end with a boreportion defined with a valve seat, the said valve seat being adjacentthe said valve for engagement therewith, a lateral opening from saidbore, a spring in said bore in biasing engagement with said valve tonormally urge the valve toward open position, and a valve follower levermounted on a movable part of the washing machine, whereby movementsimparted to said follower lever simultaneously operate said switch andsaid valve.

10. A combined control device for an electro-pneumatic Washing machineas described in claim 9, wherein the said reciprocatable elongatedswitch thrust means is enclosed by an air porous plastic sleevecompressed between the bottom of said housing and the opposing face ofsaid disk valve.

11. A combined electro-pneumatic control for an elec tro-pneumaticwashing machine, said control having an access door, a discharge valve,said valve having a valve head and a hollow body with a valve seat onone end for said valve head, a first thrust button on the head, a secondthrust button on the end of the body opposite to said valve seat end, anelectric switch assembly engaged with said valve body, and pivoted levermeans having one end engaged with said valve head thrust button, and athird movable thrust means on the washing machine engageable with theopposite end of said lever means movable by closure of said door, forsimultaneously actuating said valve and said switch through movement ofthe said respective first and second thrust buttons.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,458,211 Scinta Jan. 4, 1949 2,465,078 Fitzgerald Mar. 22, 19492,540,420 Bordelon Feb. 6, 1951 2,818,476 Mueller et al Dec. 31, 19572,921,158 Taylor Jan. 12, 1960 2,939,927 Kozel et a1. June 7, 19602,973,009 Kazyaka Feb. 28, 1961 2,986,910 Bochan June 6, 1961 2,988,100Coulrer June 13, 1961

1. CONTROL MEANS FOR AN ELECTRO-PNEUMATIC MACHINE COMPRISING A HOUSING,A SNAP ACTION ELECTRIC SWITCH IN SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING HAVING ASWITCH ACTUATOR IN A WALL THEREOF, SAID ACTUATOR BEING FORMED WITH ABORE PORTION OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF AND A SIDE OUTLET OPENING FROMTHE BORE PORTION, A VALVE SEAT DEFINING THE OPEN BORE END OF SAIDACTUATOR, A VALVE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SEAT, AND MOVABLE VALVEACTUATOR MEANS EGAGED WITH SAID VALVE.